Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced the vacation of convictions for Charlotte Pleytez and Lombardo Palacios, who were wrongfully incarcerated for the 2007 murder of Hector Luis Flores in East Hollywood. In a decision that underscores the importance of re-examining past cases to guarantee justice, both individuals have now regained their freedom after spending over 17 years behind bars, as detailed by the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office. The move follows a judge's ruling that overturned the convictions, leading Hochman to issue an immediate release order.
In an official statement, DA Hochman expressed his apologies to Pleytez and Palacios for the hardships they endured due to these wrongful convictions and extended condolences to the family of the victim, Hector Luis Flores. Despite the passionate efforts by law enforcement, on the 2009 jury's conviction and sentencing of Pleytez and Palacios to 50 years to life, as CBS News Los Angeles reported, "eyewitness identifications and other 'circumstantial evidence'" were key factors leading to their arrest.
The case took a turn when then-District Attorney George Gascón started the exoneration process, revealing flaws in the investigation, such as "coercive investigations" and misinformation presented to Palacios. Following Gascón’s initiative, the Conviction Review Unit (CRU) and a collaborative legal team, including Pleytez's attorney Matthew Lombard, Palacios' attorney Nicolas Tomas, and the California Innocence Advocates, filed a joint petition to vacate the convictions based on new evidence. As the DA's office provided in an official announcement, this evidence was critical in the decision to overturn the convictions.
Lombard, in his response to the news, highlighted the tragedy of justice too long delayed, stating, "We are reluctant to say justice has been done, because the injustices our clients have suffered for nearly two decades are unfathomable, but this is definitely a case for celebration," as stated by CBS News Los Angeles. Invited to spend their first Christmas in freedom for nearly two decades, Pleytez and Palacios' plight brought to light not only their struggle but also the wider issues inherent within the justice system. Megan Baca from the California Innocence Advocates expressed gratitude for Hochman’s efforts to correct wrongful convictions on behalf of the defense team.
